Linking Arms

Chapter 9

Katniss

Peeta leans in, heading towards my cheek. . . And that's when the gaze is broken.

"Peeta."

He stops himself, closing his eyes and sighs. I slowly lean back in my chair.

"God, I'm sorry." Peeta muttered with a disconsolate expression. He stands up from his seat and pulls out his keys. "I better go."

"Peeta." I said louder. The whole room turns silent, staring at the both of us.

I reach out for his wrist and he pauses. He stares directly in my eyes for some hope. But I don't give him anything, just a long stare of confusion. "Bye, Katniss." He said and let go of my grasp. He exits the door, leaving the sound of the bells above ringing. I sigh and close my eyes.

What the hell just happened?

I open my eyes and realize everyone is staring at me. Everyone. I stand up and look all around at them in fury. "What're you staring at, huh?! Mine your own business!"

I hear someone chortle in the crowd. I turn my head to Johanna.

"We're staring at a girl who just rejected the nicest guy on the planet." Johanna stated. "You're an asshole, Katniss."

I gulp. Johanna's here? I take my purse and leave the shop in silence. I walk to my car and slump inside. I take a deep breath. This never happened, Katniss Everdeen. This never happened.

Peeta

I drive thirty minutes down to the old bakery where I first met Katniss. I slam the door and walk onto the porch steps, the old wood creaking with every step. I sit down on the top step and stare at the huge oak tree. I remember the empty look in her eyes, the desperate need in them; how her brown locks shaped her gaunt frame.

How ironic.

Who thought in just a few years that I would be in her position, asking her for something she doesn't have for me.

After a few minutes of thinking, I decide to head back to my car. I chose not to look around the bakery, too many memories of failure and sadness. As I walk to my car, a shadow slithers behind it.

I stop my tracks in the gravel. "Who's there?"

The shadow steps out, revealing itself to me with crossed arms and a smug look.

"Well it's just your old buddy, Gale."

I start to step back. "What do you want?"

Gale smirks despicably as he walks closer. "A little birdy told me that you're trying to make a move on my girl?"

I gulp and shake my head, still backing up.

"Oh, look. We have a liar." Gale chortled. "I thought I told you to stay the hell away from her, breadboy."

I back up and trip on a twig, landing hard on the gravel upon my elbows. I wince out in pain. Gale happily makes his way over to me, cackling.

"Let me explain." I managed to say.

Gale cackles and pulls up his right fist. "Lights out, lover boy."

Katniss

I arrive home, trying to sneak upstairs without grabbing anyone's attention. Before I can turn upstairs, Mom stops me.

"Katniss, how was your little date?" She smiled happily at me.

"It wasn't a date, Mom." I stared into her light-sky eyes, my thunder ones piercing hers. "Stay the hell out of my business."